Software V-Chip for PC Games?

63N1U5 writes "CBS news is reporting that SMARTGUARD software is releasing a new application that will allow parents to control their children's PC gaming, a-la the V-Chip for television. The new software, called WallFly, uses the ESRB ratings database to determine if a game can be launched by the current PC user, based on the parents' preferences. Parents can also use this software to set limits on when and for how long their children can play PC games."

Comments

Instead of having a computer chip monitor...

[Nadsat]

...why don't parents just talk to their kids?

Re:Instead of having a computer chip monitor...

[rm999]

When I was 10 (12 years ago), if my parents told me I couldn't play Mortal Kombat (one of the most violent games of the time) I would play it behind their backs. Most kids I know would do something similar. My parents could have instead not bought me the game, but nowadays anyone can just download games off the internet.

I take it most of you have forgotten what being a child is like - children won't behave perfectly if you "talk with them." Parents cannot (and should not) watch their children 24/7.

This technology will allow strict parents, who know they can't control their kids through normal means, to easily enforce rules. I personlly would not use it, but I can see why many parents would.

Ever hear of common sense?

[OAB_X]

Its called being a parent. Dont let your little kids play M rated games, dont let them sit there for hours at a time. You can install the games to their profile yourself so that they can only play games you allow them to play.

But we cant have that, no-one wants to do their jobs as a parent anymore.

And they claim video games influences violent...

[Bones3D_mac]

But just wait until some kid goes Columbine because this thing cut off his game before he could save his progress.

Good Idea

[cc-rider-Texas]

Gives the parents a little control over what their kids are into and keeps the government's ever pervasive fingers out of it. I for one don't want a village overseeing my kids (well, grandkids now), just the family.

windows vs linux

[delirium of disorder]

If this gets implimented on a wide scale, I think we will see bootable Linux cds with the nvidia kernel and doom3 or halflife2 installed becomming very popular.

I love these kinds of restrictions, they really help kids get creative and find ways around systems of control. It teaches them valuable lessons that they will need later in life as DRM get more and more popular. If we are to live in a free society, we need creative people who can subvert the confinements imposed by parents, churches, governments, and corporations.